12/30/09 w [3s, 13v] A Good class. We were able to do more advanced work from ai homni, going to a nikiyo wrist pin and a shoulder lock pin. Given the no-mat, small area, I think not having to worry about throws helps. Nage can concentrate on their own movement and uke does not have to worry about getting set for a fall. I think it could be beneficial to occasionally do no-throw technique in a dojo, especially in a class with a preponderance of beginners and intermediate students. I did get the staff to split up and work with vets and. as it wasn’t a very big group, was able to bring everyone into one area.. Again, most folks do the move a couple of times and then slack off. The next class should have a lot more new people. This can be an opportunity to “tighten things up”, at least a bit.

(Original blog post may be found here (http://ptsd-veterans.blogspot.com/2009/12/benifits-of-no-throws-aikido.html).)

Janet Rosen

12-30-2009, 02:10 PM

I have had a couple of extended periods of time when due to an unstable knee I could neither fall nor even feel safe moving enough to finish a throw or pin - I moved slowly and, as nage, just played with entering and finding the point of balance taking. Found it very instructive way to train. BTW it also helped tremendously w/ integrating breath and movement.